Leaders accused of overlooking rural doctor shortage

The Rural Doctors Association of Australia says yesterday's federal leaders' debate offers little new information about how either party's health plan will affect country areas.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says he would consider changing the funding model for regional hospitals, but offers no guarantees.

The association's chief executive, Steve Sant, says the leaders missed an opportunity to set their plans apart by addressing the shortage of country doctors.

"To date we've seen a lot done on education by both this Government and the previous government, but we haven't seen the other side of the coin really addressed, which is how we attract and retain those doctors and nurses in rural Australia once they've gone through the education system," he said.

"If we're not careful then we'll end up with a situation where we have lots of doctors and nurses but they're all going to be in the city and we're still going to have shortages in rural Australia."

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